Kalpana Soren, the wife of jailed former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, won fron the Gandey Assembly by-poll elections defeating her nearest rival BJP candidate Dilip Kumar Verma by over 82,000 votes.

Kalpana polled 1,09,827 votes and Verma bagged 82,678 votes in the by-poll that was necessitated following the resignation of JMM MLA Sarfaraz Ahmad.

The polls in Gandey were held on May 20, and 2.17 lakh of 3.16 lakh voters had exercised their franchise.

Kalpana embarked on her political journey during the 51st Foundation Day celebration of the JMM in Giridih district on March 4. She asserted that opponents had conspired against her since the coalition government led by her husband, Hemant Soren, came to power in 2019.

Following Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi’s comparison of Kalpana Soren to a “lioness” prepared to protect her territory, Kalpana, acknowledged for her role in revitalizing the JMM, is now preparing for her new role in politics.

While politics was not her initial choice, circumstances compelled her to step into the arena after her husband Hemant’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on January 31 in connection with a money laundering case related to an alleged land fraud.

During the Lok Sabha elections, Kalpana led the JMM, rallying support by denouncing the BJP as a “tyrannical force” intent on suppressing the opposition INDIA bloc.

Since her husband’s arrest, she has consistently spoke about the inherent resilience of tribals, asserting that it is not in their nature to yield.

“I extend heartfelt support to people for their unwavering support…I extend thanks to Disom Guru Shibu Soren Ji (JMM supremo), Hemant Ji…I will work tirelessly for the people. It shows INDIA Bloc unity,” she said after her win.

Kalpana holds an engineering and MBA degree.

Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha election results that were declared on Tuesday, two JMM legislators — Joba Majhi and Nalin Soren — and two BJP MLAs— Dulu Mahto and Manish Jaiswal — registered victory.

With four MLAs making it to Parliament, the total strength of the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly is set to reduce to 76 from its current position of 80. However, with Kalpana Soren winning the Gandey by-poll, the total strength of the House will rise to 77.